Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

8 Oct 2015, 08:01

Hi all,

Does anyone know if there is a difference between the GATE IN/OUT and the TRIGGER IN/OUT on analogue synths, or if it is there to let you use one signal to trigger notes (GATE) and the other to trigger envelopes or LFOs or whatever (TRIGGER)?

Originally, I thought they were just different names for the same signal, but some synths seem to have both.

Cheers
Andy

Andy

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

8 Oct 2015, 09:30

I used to have a Moog Voyager several years ago so for give me if I am not 100% on this but I believe on it the triggers were used for output voltages to trigger other devices and the Gate for incoming triggers. You are right on most modern gear Gates and triggers are basically the same from what I understand.

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

8 Oct 2015, 10:48

No wait I think that had an input for pitch on the Moog Voyager. I had an old school and used a Kenton MIDI to CV converter so that is what I was trying to remember.

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

8 Oct 2015, 12:11

Andy Keys wrote:
Hi all,

Does anyone know if there is a difference between the GATE IN/OUT and the TRIGGER IN/OUT on analogue synths, or if it is there to let you use one signal to trigger notes (GATE) and the other to trigger envelopes or LFOs or whatever (TRIGGER)?

Originally, I thought they were just different names for the same signal, but some synths seem to have both.

Cheers
Andy

Here you go:

http://www.synthesizers.com/gates.html

Hope it helps.

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

10 Oct 2015, 08:53

Thanks, all. That page was useful, Synth Guru.
The beast in question has all three sets of jacks, so some experimenting is in order.

Andy

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

10 Oct 2015, 10:30

Is that my favorite jack (MIDI) on the left?
What is the instrument?

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

10 Oct 2015, 12:44

It is a MIDI jack, yes. I bought a Korg ARP Odyssey :)

Andy

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

10 Oct 2015, 14:31

Cool!

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

19 Jan 2016, 17:03

You have probably worked it out by now but Arps used a combination of Trig and Gate in order to open the envelopes correctly. They also need a 10v signal compared to many modern analogues which need 5v. That means that the Arps need a boosted signal. If you are considering using cv to trigger your Odyssey make sure your sending at least a 10v signal. Or you have the convenience of a MIDI input which will save you a reasonable amount of head scratching.

Re: Analogue Synths: difference between GATE and TRIGGER

9 Jul 2016, 08:53

A trigger is a pulse that occurs at the start of a key press on a keyboard.
A gate stays on for the duration of the key press on a keyboard.

Usually, the trigger is used to start the envelope